Dame Jacqueline Wilson has revealed "Picture Imperfect," an adult follow-up to her 1999 children's novel, "The Illustrated Mum."
The book, which came out on August 28th, will bring back readers alongside Dolphin and Star, characters who faced challenges during their upbringing due to their mother, Marigold's, bipolar condition.
At age 33, Dolphin finds herself unable to let go of the past. She resides in a small studio apartment and works at a tattoo shop, frequently having to pick up her mother from the local police station. Hoping for love to change everything, she faces a dilemma: choosing between the dependable Lee and his daughter Ava or pursuing a casual relationship with an actor named Joel. On the other hand, Star, who practices medicine in Scotland alongside her family, seems to have found stability and purpose in her life.
Wilson informed Scott Mills on Chandrakeok NewsRadio 2's Breakfast Show on Thursday, which was World Book Day, that she is eagerly anticipating people's responses to the upcoming book.
The acclaimed author, who was knighted in 2008 at the age of 79, is renowned for addressing challenging and somber topics in an approachable manner.
Many of her publications, several of which delve into topics such as suicide, mental well-being, and domestic abuse, are targeted towards children aged from seven to twelve years old.
However, Picture Imperfect is Wilson's inaugural adult novel since Think Again was published in the previous year, serving as a continuation of the Girls series.
It was the top-selling adult debut hardcover book of 2024. according to The Bookseller .
"She revealed how enjoyable it was... akin to playing a party game – reminiscing about the beloved stories from her youth that she discussed," she shared with Mills regarding writing for an adult audience.
One of the books frequently brought up over the years is The Illustrated Mum.
The initial novel, titled after Marigold’s abundance of tattoos and serving as the source for the names Dolphin and Star, was awarded the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2000.
The story was made into a movie starring Michelle Collins in 2003.
Wilson revealed Picture Imperfect via social media, showcasing a statue of herself adorned with tattoos located in Brighton, close to her residence in Sussex. The sculpture is scheduled to be relocated to a Waterstones branch in the city.
The author, who will similarly make stops at coastal towns throughout the nation for the launch of her children's book "The Seaside Sleepover" Next month, Mills was informed that she intended to enter and gently touch the statue from time to time.
The Illustrated Mum ranks as Wilson's second-best-selling children's novel in paperback in the UK, based on data from publisher Penguin Random House, with only her iconic work Tracy Beaker selling more.
Mills also posted messages from fans, which included Dani Harmer, known for her role in the 2000s adaptation of "Tracy Beaker" as well as its several spin-offs.
Her 8-year-old daughter Avery Bell became Wilson's newest biggest fan, as she shared.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DG2iNvHs1y5/
"Having had the chance to read all of your books again with her has been absolutely delightful," Harmer stated.
Now we also delve into those subjects and review all the incredible themes you explore in your writings.
When asked by Harmer about potential additional Beaker books, Wilson stated that an adult sequel would be "a fascinating concept."
She remarked, 'It won’t be arriving this year — but who can say?'
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